Rigkou Athanasia, Hemnani Mahima, Martins Ana Luísa, Mesquita João R
Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece.
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
Foods. 2024 Nov 26;13(23):3802. doi: 10.3390/foods13233802.
This study employs molecular detection techniques, including conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing, to investigate the prevalence, species composition and public health implications of Anisakid nematodes in blue whiting () caught off the Portuguese coast. With Portugal's high fish consumption rates and increasing preference for raw or undercooked seafood, the risk of parasitic infections, particularly anisakidosis, is rising. Fifty blue whiting fish were examined, showing a 100% infection rate with Anisakid larvae. Molecular analysis identified 68.1% of the larvae as , 18.1% as , and 13.8% as , marking the first report of in blue whiting in Portugal. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, 5.8S ribosomal RNA and ITS-2 confirmed the species classification. Notably, 42.9% of the fish were infected with multiple Anisakid species, increasing the risk of allergenic sensitization. Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between fish width and parasitic load, and a weak negative correlation was found between fish length and parasitic load. The study contributes to food safety by integrating molecular tools that enable rapid and accurate species identification, offering new insights into the detection of biological contaminants in seafood. These findings are significant considering the rising trend in raw seafood consumption, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced detection strategies and broader parasite monitoring programs to mitigate public health risks. The high prevalence of parasitized fish highlights the necessity for the implementation of safe cooking practices to reduce the risk of anisakidosis. Further research into the allergenic potential of spp. and the ecological factors influencing this nematode distribution is recommended.
本研究采用分子检测技术，包括传统PCR和桑格测序，以调查在葡萄牙海岸捕获的蓝鳕鱼（）中异尖线虫的流行情况、种类组成及其对公共卫生的影响。鉴于葡萄牙的鱼类消费率较高，且人们对生的或未煮熟的海鲜的偏好日益增加，寄生虫感染的风险，尤其是异尖线虫病的风险正在上升。对50条蓝鳕鱼进行了检查，结果显示异尖线虫幼虫的感染率为100%。分子分析确定，68.1%的幼虫为，18.1%为，13.8%为，这是在葡萄牙蓝鳕鱼中首次报告。基于内部转录间隔区（ITS）1、5.8S核糖体RNA和ITS-2的系统发育分析证实了物种分类。值得注意的是，42.9%的鱼感染了多种异尖线虫物种，增加了过敏致敏的风险。统计分析表明，鱼的宽度与寄生虫负荷之间无显著相关性，而鱼的长度与寄生虫负荷之间存在弱负相关。该研究通过整合能够实现快速准确物种鉴定的分子工具，为食品安全做出了贡献，为海鲜中生物污染物的检测提供了新的见解。考虑到生海鲜消费的上升趋势，这些发现具有重要意义，强调了迫切需要加强检测策略和扩大寄生虫监测计划，以降低公共卫生风险。寄生虫感染鱼群的高流行率凸显了实施安全烹饪方法以降低异尖线虫病风险的必要性。建议进一步研究 spp. 的致敏潜力以及影响这种线虫分布的生态因素。
